Safety, pride dominate 2014 Boston Marathon

Monday

Apr 21, 2014 at 8:07 AMApr 22, 2014 at 10:57 AM

Visit our special site tonight and tomorrow for more photos and videos taken along the Boston Marathon route: wickedlocal.com/news/boston-marathon. Check out #WLMarathon on Twitter to see what our reporters and photographers posted from along the course. Also check out editor Paul Crocetti on Twitter at #PaulRuns, to see what he posted as he ran the marathon and tweeted along the way.3:53 p.m.(from the Associated Press) BOSTON - Under heavy security that included a battery of surveillance cameras and police officers on rooftops, nearly 36,000 runners hit the streets Monday in the first Boston Marathon since last year's deadly bombing, sending a powerful message of resilience.In what some saw as altogether fitting, an American won the men's division for the first time in more than 30 years, dominating a field that included many athletes who were prevented from completing the race last year. Meb Keflizighi won the men's title in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 37 seconds.The two pressure-cooker bombs that went off near the end of the 26.2-mile course killed three people and wounded more than 260 in a hellish spectacle of torn limbs, smoke and broken glass.A total of 35,755 athletes were registered to run, the second-largest field in its history, with many coming to show support for the city and its signature sporting event. "Boston Strong" — the unofficial slogan adopted after the terrorist attack — was everywhere.At 2:49 p.m., the time the bombs went off, spectators observed a moment of silence at the finish line. It was followed by some of the loudest cheers of the day as people whooped, clapped and rang cowbells.Kenya's Rita Jeptoo won the women's race in a course-record 2 hours, 18 minutes, 57 seconds, defending a championship from last year.2:30 p.m.BOSTON – Mebrahtom “Meb” Keflezighi, the first American to win the Boston Marathon in 31 years, said after the race this afternoon that he wanted to win for Boston.“I just kept on thinking, ‘Boston Strong, Boston Strong,’” the 38-year-old said during his post-race press conference. “This is probably the most meaningful victory for an American, because of what happened last year.”Keflezighi, a three-time Olympian from San Diego, Calif., pumped his fist in the air as he neared the finish line, stoking the crowd to a fever pitch as it chanted, “USA, USA!”“The energy was just phenomenal,” Keflezighi said, revealing that he wanted to throw up at mile 22 but knew he had to press on.“I held back, (and) collected myself,” he said. “Sometimes, you just have to run and dig deep.”The front-runner for much of the race, appeared to slow his pace with a couple miles left, with the nearest runner closing to within 10 seconds.“Toward the end, I was getting nervous,” he said. “(The crowd) helped me carry through.”Keflezighi, who immigrated to America in 1987 from Eritrea, said he set out from the beginning to win the race as show of patriotism.“When the Red Sox won and put (the World Series trophy) on the finish line, I wanted to do it,” he said. “(I wanted) to do the same thing for the people.”Keflezighi saluted the city’s people for what they went through last year. Referencing a plea for peace 8-year-old victim Martin Richard made on a sign, Keflezighi called the boy “beyond his age.“I have an 8-year-old daughter. That could be her,” he said, adding that he recently met with members of the Richard family.After the emotional win, Keflezighi said he walked over to the medical tent and exchanged words of gratitude with medical personnel.“The scenery was different there last year than it is now,” he said. “I wanted to say thank you.”Keflezighi, who did not run last year and has only run the Marathon twice before, said he and a family member felt “helpless” after the bombs exploded on Boylston Street last year.“We just started crying,” he said. “(We) cried again today.“This time it was tears of joy.”Check back later for more information.

2:10 p.m.Roads closed by the Boston Marathon are re-opening in Ashland and Hopkinton and other towns along the route will follow shortly. The race is winding down but runners are still making their way to Boston.

1:25 p.m.BOSTON - The three top finishing women and the top American woman to finish gave a press conference following their victories in Monday morning's Boston Marathon.The winner, Rita Jeptoo of Kenya who finished in 2:18:57, said she extremely happy with her finish and commented that the race was tough.“I'm happy to support and be here together today,” said Jeptoo, recalling the bombings last year.The top American finisher, Shalane Flanagan, a native of Marblehead, finished with a personal best of 2:22:02.“I don't wish it was easier, I just wish I was better,” said Flanagan who set the pace for the majority of the race. “Normally a 2:22:00 would win this race.”Flanagan cried at the press conference as she talked about the strong surge of emotions she felt during this race.“The fans were phenomenal, it was almost deafening and my insides almost hurt from the cheers,” Flanagan said. “I was almost hyperventilating at the end, I felt so much love.”Flanagan said she was definitely motivated this year by the tragic events at last year's Marathon.“Every pushup I did, every crunch I did, every shake out run, there was a purpose behind,” Flanagan said. “I was preparing not just for me, but for my city, my family and my nation.”

1:10 p.m.BOSTON - Those on the medical team at the Boston Marathon finish line said they were told that in the case of an emergency this year, communication would be key.Karina Berenbaum, a Newton native and athletic training student at Boston University, said the entire medical staff met Monday morning at the John Hancock building to hear about final preparations for the race.“We have leaders that we're supposed to follow (in the case of an emergency), but mostly they said just stay in contact," Berenbaum said.Berenbaum was part of the “wheelchair sweep team” ready to wheel runners in need of medical attention to the medical tent.She said it has been quiet for the medical team so far, but they were prepared for it to get busier as the waves of runners started to finish.

12:55 p.m.Ashland police and security personnel have been at a large house party on Rte. 135 in Ashland near the Main Street intersection for more than an hour dealing with 200 people with a large number of very drunk college students. At this point, police are trying to keep anyone from leaving and are trying to get a bus from Framingham State Univesity to remove people.

12:20 p.m.FRAMINGHAM - Governor Deval Patrick and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said that a large law enforcement network spread from Hopkinton to Boston is working today to ensure that the Boston Marathon remains safe for runners and spectators.Speaking at a press conference atop the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency bunker on Rte. 9 on Framingham Monday morning, Patrick said that he is confident that the race will go off without a hitch."The coordination is high, the spirit is high, the preparation is high and the confidence is high," he said. "Obviously, we are not taking anything for granted but I think that the public should be assured that every conceivable preparation has been done to assure that we have a safe race today."Patrick said that the team of federal, state and local law enforcement has been laying plans for months to prepare for today's events.Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said that officials were not aware of any "credible threats" to the Marathon today.Johnson also called today's race is a lesson in resilience."One year ago, in the face of a terrorists attack, we saw the city of Boston, this community and this country come together in a way that was truly remarkable," he said. "We saw the courage of first responders and volunteers rush into the face of danger and we saw a community grow stronger as a result. Today is a day that is a testament to that."Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz said that security measure along the route will remain in place for several hours today."The security will continue through the day and into the evening until each of the eight cities and towns - but principally Boston, where the race ends - reports that things have returned to normal," he said. Schwartz said he expects security measures to remain in place until at least about 6:30 p.m.Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency spokesman Peter Judge said that there are about 4,000 law enforcement officers spread out across the route, about 3,500 of which are in uniform with the remainder undercover.

12:10 p.m.Meb Keflezighi holds off a late challenge from two Kenyans and becomes the first American since 1983 to win Boston.The victory is the third career win for Meb Keflezighi. He won the TCS New York City Marathon in 2009 and the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012.

11:52 a.m.Rita Jeptoo of Kenya wins her third Boston Marathon and shatters the course record. Runs 2:18:57. Gets $50,000 bonus.Shalane Flanagan finishes 6th and sets a personal best time in the Marathon of just over 2:22:01.

11:45 a.m.Meb Keflezighi is approaching Heartbreak Hill. Just passed mile 20 in 1:37:52. He could be the first American to win Boston since Greg Meyer in 1983.America's other hope, Shalane Flanagan has faded badly after the hills in Newton. From Kenya, the 2013 and 2006 Boston Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo at 23 miles, establishes a large lead over the pack (2:03:01/5:14 split).

11:40 a.m.Susan Hackney, who handed out fluids to runners near the Scream Tunnel, has done it for two years. Hackney said she was rooting for the home team runners this year.“I think for someone from the area to win would be amazing,” Hackney said. “It'd kind of [be] like when the Red Sox won.”Martha Depaola, who was also handing out fluids to runners, said there's a new togetherness felt among supporters of the marathon."Everyone just feels bonded in a special way," Depaola said.

11:30 a.m.NATICK - Rick and Dick Hoyt passed through Natick for the final time during the Marathon to much fanfare from spectators.Dick Hoyt embraced several members of Team Hoyt on Rte. 135 in Natick."It's so inspiring," said Megan Petratis a member of Team Hoyt from Washington D.C. "Stopping and getting to say great job is a surreal moment."Norma Shulman, who has attended all 32 Boston Marathons the Hoyts have run agreed."They've created a whole movement," said Shulman, of Natick.

11:25 a.m.Here's a rarity for recent history: An American is leading the men's Boston Marathon.Meb Keflezighi passed mile 16 in 1:18:07 with an eight-second lead. His last split was 4:37.Shalane Flanagan was leading a pack of seven women but has now fallen back.

11:20 a.m.Natick Center businesses are in the spirit of the Marathon.The Frame Shop and Gallery is selling Marathon posters from the 1990s and 2000s while Stucchi Jewelers owner Gary Stucchi made a pendant for the Marathon.It features the Boston skyline, the words "Boston Run Strong", and 118 for the 118th Boston Marathon.Stucchi is donating $100 from the $150 pendant to charities started after the Marathon bombings.

11:10American Ryan Hall, after leading the race early has fallen 10 seconds back of the men's lead pack.Meanwhile, top American hopeful Shalane Flanagan is still leading the women after 18 miles at 1:35:50. Still on course record pace.

10:55 a.m.BOSTON - Shrewsbury native and longtime Boston Marathon volunteer Dick Miller is sitting in the VIP seating area at the finish line with his wife Moira thanks to his daughter, now an employee of the Boston Athletic Association.The family of three was in Boston last year, as well, volunteering less than a block from where the bombs went off."For those victims last year to be not only physically back here, but emotionally, talk about strong," Moira said.Dick said his daughter is working the Marathon again this year and has been in charge of organizing the volunteers."There's about 1,000 more volunteers this year, about 10,000," Dick said.Dick said his daughter was turning volunteers away on the scale of hundreds a day."When he started volunteering 23 years ago, they couldn't get enough people," Moira said. "How things have changed."The Millers said they're happy to be back this year, despite some difficult memories."I heard sirens this morning and it brought me right back to last year," Moira said. "I don't want to even hear those."An American woman has won the women's wheelchair race. On her 29th birthday, Tatyana McFadden wins the women’s wheelchair.

10:40Men's lead pack is in Natick. From Boston Marathon tweet: Meb Keflezighi lead the men through mile 7 at 34:16. That's a 4:52 split.

10:30As the first wave of runners left the starting line in Hopkinton Monday morning, others waiting their turn were itching to get going."Great excitement, anticipation - it's a great atmosphere here," said Phil Dervan of New Hampshire, who was taking another crack at the Boston Marathon after being stopped at the 25th mile last year."I'm a little nervous, but excited," said Meghan Aylward-MacMillan of Duxbury, as she prepared to run her first Marathon.Meanwhile, security obeservations along the race route continue to trickle in.Spectators on Rte. 135 in Natick say the heavy police and military presence along the Marathon route has eased fears about safety concerns.Several officers and National Guardsmen are stationed along Rte. 135 providing spectators with comfort. Several blackhawk helicopters also flew over Natick as the elite wheelchair runners came through."The flyover just now and to see the police presence feels really good," said Framingham's Norma Kramer. "It's very secure."A band is playing and spirits are high in downtown Framingham.Security is heavy, with military police among the personnel. Officers are checking bags.Spectators cheered loudly and rang cowbells as Blackhawk helicopters flew overhead before the women's elite runners arrived. Fans are shouting "Boston Strong" and waving flags as part of the town's inaugural "Six Mile Moment" celebration.

10:15 a.m.After 7 miles the women are averaging 5:17/mile which would put them finishing in about 2:17 which would beat the course record by 2 minutes. Shalane Flanagan still leading and pushing the pace.

10:10 a.m.Spectator are cheering and waving flags as wheelchair athletes race through Natick Center.Crowds are lining both sides of the street creating a wall of sound propelling athletes to Boston.The crowd also cheered as four military helicopters flew along the route.Laura Byrne of Wayland brought her daughters Kylie, 10, and Katie, 8 to the Marathon. It was the girls first time.They planned to wave American flags, which Laura said show their pride in their country.

10:05 a.m.Jack Porter, a Newtonville resident, said he'd been coming to watch the Boston Marathon for 35 years, and was upset with the heightened security."They're taking the fun away. You can't get close to the runners with these barriers and there are no more bandits. It's a people's marathon and all this stuff takes the joy out of it," Porter said. "I hope next year they tone it down. The state government and the mayor, they're going overboard."In other security matters:About 50 members of the national guard and the entire Brookline Police force -- save 15 people -- are working the Marathon today. Eight of the 15 cops not working are running the marathon, the other seven are on vacation.Sgt. Brian Coughlan, a bomb squad specialist with the New York Police Department, was with a handful of uniformed officers near the course’s halfway point. Coughlan said they also worked the New York City marathon, but he found security at the Boston Marathon was more challenging given the layout of the course.“I think we’re trying to reassure the public that everything is alright today,” Coughlan said. “We’re glad to be here and we hope it’ll be a nice, quiet day.”Brookline Department of Public Works went out at 5 a.m. Monday to remove 35 trash barrels along the route and replace them with clear-bag trash receptacles. They also removed 15 bicycles from the route saying people were warned ahead of time.

10 a.m. : The men and all the runners in Wave 1 have left the start line in Hopkinton.

9:47 a.m. Shalane Flanagan of Massachusetts leads the elite women after two miles. Lead pack is in Ashland.

9:32 a.m.The elite women have started the Bsoton Marathon. Last year's fourth place finisher was Shalane Flanagan who was the top American woman and she's from Marlblehead, Mass.!Next up is wave one, including elite men at 10 a.m.

9:18 a.m.Wheelchair racers have begun! Handcycles are ready for 9:22 and then it's elite women at 9:32. Looking for someone local to cheer for in the elite women race? Watch for Shalane Flanagan, the top American woman last year (she placed fourth) and Massachusetts native.

9:12 a.m.FRAMINGHAM - Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are fanning out along the Marathon route this morning as 36,000 runners prepare to make their way from Hopkinton to Boston.Standing outside the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Multi-Agency Coordination Center on Rte. 9 in Framingham this morning, MEMA spokesman Peter Judge said a vast network of security officials is in place along the route.Judge said that there were about 260 officials working in the Rte. 9 bunker, representing about 60 local, state and federal agencies.About 4,000 law enforcement officers are along the route this morning, approximately 3,500 of them in uniform, Judge said.Officials in the bunker are monitoring security on the ground, utilizing more than 100 cameras along the route and four State Police helicopters flying overhead.When asked about any last-minute preparations, Judge said there weren't any - all the agencies are working off extensive security plans that have been in place and being perfected for months, he said.9:09 a.m.ASHLAND - As volunteers prepare for runners to jet by in a few hours, there's a sense of determination this year to take back the race."The innocence of running was spoiled last year," said volunteer Ed Talbot of Mattapoiset, Mass.Talbot is volunteering in his 25th Marathon this year. He ran the race six times, last in 1992.This year he's helping at the elite water station in Ashland and cheering for his daughter, Lisa Lundrigan.Last year, Talbot was at the finish line waiting for his daughter to cross when the bombs went off. Lundrigan is back this year to finish what she started last year."It's the best Marathon in the world," said Talbot.8:51 a.m. The mobility impaired runners have started the 118th Boston Marathon. The wheelchair division satrts at 9:17, followed by handcycles at 9:22 and elite women at 9:32. Wave one (which includes ther elite men) starts at 10 a.m.8:01 a.m.: Athletes, volunteers, spectators, media and emergency responders are all descending upon Hopkinton this morning, whether it be around the starting line and Hopkinton Common, or at the Athletes' Village down the street at the middle school.

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